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Strange Bacteria Sustains Itself Without Sunlight
Hahnsoo writes "A colony of bacteria found 2.8 kilometers below the Earth's surface in a South African gold mine is able to sustain itself without energy from the Sun. While sub-surface colonies of microorganisms utilizing sulfur (mostly near deep sea hydrothermal vents) is not new, this particular colony is unusual. The colony does it by relying on radioactive uranium to split water into hydrogen gas. Thus, instead of solar energy and photosynthesis, this species relies on radioactive materials and sulfur/hydrogen to facilitate its energy needs. There is some speculation about life on other planets in the article as well."
These bacteria are enriching uranium in a clear violation of the nuclear proliferation treaty! (At least, the way we interpret it) They say they are just using it for energy production, but we know they really are doing it to make a bomb! Quick, send some carriers there and let's bomb them into stone age before these dangerous terrorists destroy us all!